Collapsible structures

• US 6,901,940 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patent Category Corporation
• Original Assignee: Patent Category Corporation
• Inventors: Zheng, Yu
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O
• Application Number:
  US10/346,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20040140232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 135/126, 135/115, 135/128, 135/133, 52/795
• US Class Current: 135/126
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/40 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/0025 with inflatable parts

Abstract

Collapsible structures are provided that have an enclosed interior space that can be used to hold and contain water or other matter. The interior space is defined by an enclosing wall and a base that are both waterproof to prevent leakage of the water or matter contained in the interior space. None, one or more foldable frame members can be provided as part of the enclosing wall and the base. The frame members allow the resulting structure to be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structure.

Claims

1. A collapsible structure comprising:

at least three foldable frame members, each having a folded and an unfolded orientation;

a waterproof sheet material covering each frame member to form a panel for each frame member;

each panel further including a bottom, and with the panels coupled to each other to form a ring of panels that defines an interior space; and

a waterproof bottom sheet attached to the bottom of each panel in a manner such that the interior space is waterproof; and

wherein each frame member is folded into a plurality of concentric frame members when each frame member is in the folded orientation.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein each panel further includes a left side and a right side, with the left side of each panel coupled to the right side of an adjacent panel, and the right side of each panel coupled to the left side of another adjacent panel.

3. The structure of claim 2, further including sheet material provided between the left side of each panel and the right side of an adjacent panel.

4. The structure of claim 2, wherein the left side and right side of each panel is vertical.

5. The structure of claim 2, wherein the left side of each panel is hingedly coupled to the right side of an adjacent panel.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the at least three frame members define four panels.

7. The structure of claim 1, wherein each panel further includes a top side, and further including an upper border attached to the top side.

8. The structure of claim 7, wherein the upper border includes a foldable frame member.

9. The structure of claim 7, wherein the upper border includes an inflatable tube.

10. A collapsible structure comprising:

a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation;

a waterproof sheet material covering the frame member to form a bottom panel, the bottom panel having a periphery;

a waterproof enclosing wall that defines an interior space, the enclosing wall having a bottom edge that is attached to the periphery of the bottom panel in a manner such that the interior space is waterproof; and

wherein the frame member is folded into a plurality of concentric frame members when the frame member is in the folded orientation.

11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the enclosing wall includes a top side, and further including an upper border attached to the top side.

12. The structure of claim 11, wherein the upper border includes a foldable frame member.

13. The structure of claim 11, wherein the upper border includes an inflatable tube.

14. A collapsible structure comprising:

a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation;

a waterproof sheet material covering the frame member to form a bottom panel, the bottom panel having a periphery;

a waterproof enclosing wall that defines an interior space, the enclosing wall having a bottom edge that is attached to the periphery of the bottom panel in a manner such that the interior space is waterproof; and

at least one inflatable tube positioned along the enclosing wall.

15. A collapsible structure comprising:

a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation;

a waterproof sheet material covering the frame member to form a bottom panel, the bottom panel having a periphery;

a waterproof enclosing wall that defines an interior space, the enclosing wall having a bottom edge that is attached to the periphery of the bottom panel in a manner such that the interior space is waterproof; and

wherein the enclosing wall is inflatable.

16. A collapsible structure, comprising:

first and second flexible frame members, each frame member defining a closed loop and having a first side and an opposing second side, each frame member adapted to assume an expanded position and a collapsed position, with the two frame members overlapping each other at a first overlapping point along the first sides of the frame members, and at a second overlapping point along the second sides of the frame members;

wherein the frame members are adapted to assume a deployed position in which one frame member is disposed at an angle with respect to the other frame member at the overlapping points, so that the structure defines a top side and a bottom side when the frame members are in the deployed position; and

a waterproof enclosing wall extending about the two frame members and the bottom side to define a waterproof interior space.

17. The structure of claim 16, further including first and second frame retaining sleeves for retaining the first and second frame members, respectively.

18. The structure of claim 17, wherein the first and second frame retaining sleeves are stitched to the enclosing wall.

19. The structure of claim 16, wherein the top side has an opening.

20. The structure of claim 19, wherein the top side is devoid of any material.

21. The structure of claim 16, wherein the overlapping frame members define a hinge portion about which the first and second frame members are pivotable.

22. The structure of claim 21, wherein the bottom sides of the frame members are urged towards each other when the first and second frame members are pivoted.

23. The structure of claim 21, wherein the bottom sides of the two frame members are urged towards each other about the first and second overlapping points to bring the first and second frame members together, and wherein the overlaying frame members are collapsible to the collapsed positions by twisting and folding to form a plurality of concentric rings to substantially reduce the size of the structure in the collapsed position.

24. The structure of claim 16, wherein the bottom sides of the frame members rest on the ground when the frame members are in the expanded position.